159791 Pte. Thomas McKinley British Army Kings Own Scottish Borderers from:68 Elba St, Ayr, Scotland Our grandfather Thomas McKinlay lived in our house in Ayr, till he died in 1946. I grew up to stories about India, Lord Roberts and the famous march in 1880 from Kabul to Kandahar. I have a record of his marriage to our grandmother in 1894 but I have never been able to find substantial records of his life prior to this date.
Another story I was told when I was growing up, is that it was said during WW1 he coloured his hair black, enlisted, then washed the black out and came home. I always thought this was just a story till I was using Ancestry search and found 9 pages of his WW1 military history. He enlisted in the Kings Own Scottish Borderers on the 13th Oct 1914 in Dalmillington, regimental #8323, his age was listed as 34yrs. The history sheet shows my grandmother's name and where they lived it also listed my mother name [Flora]. He was discharged 22nd Dec 1914 as not suitable for service, they were unsure if his real age was 44 or 49, although Lieut Colonel A.W. Pennyman of the KOSB in Berwick wanted to retain him I also have a picture of him in an army uniform which I think may be around that time, but I can't identify the cap badge. These records did give me further history on him . He served in the Scots Fusiliers #1923, 7yrs 127dys with the colours and 4yrs, 238dys in the reserve , discharged in 1898. Although I have this info its difficult to get more records from these days.
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